Same topic was inculcated in the recent APSC Mains exam as well
Extreme weather conditions, such as floods, droughts, heatwaves, cyclones, and wildfires, are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change. Governments worldwide are responding to these events with a combination of immediate disaster relief and long-term strategies aimed at building resilience to future occurrences.
Immediate Response:
Disaster Relief and Rescue Operations: Governments deploy emergency teams, including military forces and disaster relief agencies, to rescue affected individuals, provide food, shelter, and medical assistance. For instance, India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is often mobilized to provide assistance during floods or cyclones.
Humanitarian Aid and Funding: Financial assistance is often provided to victims of extreme weather events, including compensation for lost homes or livelihoods. International aid is also a key component, particularly for low-income nations struggling with disaster impacts.
Temporary Shelter and Food Supply: Governments establish temporary shelters and ensure food and water supplies are available for displaced populations. This was a significant focus during floods in Pakistan and India in recent years.
Long-Term Strategies:
Climate Resilience and Adaptation Plans: Governments are implementing climate adaptation plans aimed at strengthening infrastructure, upgrading early warning systems, and building more resilient cities. For example, India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) includes missions on sustainable agriculture, water management, and ecosystem preservation to mitigate extreme weather impacts.
Investment in Green Infrastructure: Natural infrastructure solutions, such as reforestation, wetland conservation, and the restoration of floodplains, are increasingly being adopted to absorb the impact of extreme weather. The Netherlands’ “Room for the River” project is a leading example of building with nature to manage floods.
Improving Early Warning Systems: Technologies such as satellite monitoring and climate prediction models help governments provide early warnings for heatwaves, storms, and other extreme weather events. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has improved its cyclone warnings, saving lives during severe storms like Cyclone Amphan in 2020.
Legislation and Policy Changes: Governments are introducing laws and regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance renewable energy adoption, and enforce sustainable land-use practices. The European Union’s Green Deal and India’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement exemplify this.
International Collaboration: International cooperation plays a vital role in funding and sharing technology for climate adaptation and disaster management. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction encourages countries to reduce disaster risks through shared knowledge, financial resources, and technology.
Community-Based Adaptation: Governments are increasingly involving local communities in resilience-building efforts. This is particularly crucial in rural areas where traditional knowledge can be integrated with scientific approaches to manage climate impacts.
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